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Here’s a look at the state football rankings:

Harrisburg Patriot-News state rankings:

CLASS AAAA
School (District)    Record     Previous
1. North Allegheny (7)     7-0     2
2. St. Joseph’s Prep (12)     6-0     6
3. Gateway (7)     6-1     3
4. LaSalle College (12)     6-1     1
5. Central Dauphin* (3)     6-1     5
6. Easton (11)     7-0     7
7. Downingtown East (1)     7-0     9
8. Harrisburg (3)     5-2     8
9. Mount Lebanon (7)     6-1     10
10. Delaware Valley (2)     7-0     NR
Teams to watch: Bethel Park (7) 5-2, Cumberland Valley (3) 6-1, Ridley (1) 7-0, Seneca Valley (7) 6-1, Upper St. Clair (7) 6-1, Wilson (3) 6-1.

CLASS AAA
School (District)    Record     Previous
1. Cathedral Prep (10)     7-0     1
2. Bishop McDevitt (3)     7-0     2
3. Montour (7)     7-0     3
4. Archbishop Wood* (12)     5-2     4
5. Central Valley (7)     6-1    5
6. Pottsgrove (1)     7-0     6
7. West Allegheny (7)     6-1     7
8. Thomas Jefferson (7)     7-0     9
9. Berwick (2)     6-1     10
10. Franklin Regional (7)     6-1     NR
Teams to watch: Abington Heights (2) 6-1, Cardinal O’Hara (12) 4-3, Clearfield (9) 7-0, Mars (7) 6-1, West Chester Henderson (1) 6-1, West Mifflin (7) 7-0.

CLASS AA
School (District)    Record     Previous
1. Aliquippa (7)     7-0     1
2. Imhotep Charter (12)     7-0     2
3. Wyomissing (3)     7-0     3
4. South Fayette (7)     7-0     4
5. Washington (7)     7-0     5
6. Jeannette (7)     6-1     6
7. Hickory (10)     6-1     7
8. Grove City (10)     6-1     10
9. Trinity (3)     6-1     9
10. Catasauqua (11)     7-0     NR
Teams to watch: Beaver Area (7) 7-0, Bermudian Springs (3) 7-0, Mount Pleasant (7) 5-2, Richland (6) 7-0, Seton-LaSalle (7) 6-1, Wilmington (10) 5-2.

CLASS A
School (District)    Record     Previous
1. Clairton* (7)     7-0     1
2. Southern Columbia (4)     7-0     2
3. Rochester (7)     7-0     3
4. Old Forge (2)     7-0     4
5. Dunmore (2)     6-1     5
6. Monessen (7)     6-1     6
7. West Middlesex (10)     6-1     7
8. Sharpsville (10)     6-1     8
9. Bellwood-Antis (6)     7-0     9
10. Port Allegany (9)     7-0     10
Teams to watch: Bishop Canevin (7) 5-2, Line Mountain (4) 6-1, Neshannock (7) 6-1, Penns Manor (6) 6-1, Williams Valley (11) 7-0.
*2011 PIAA champion.**2011 Class AA champion.

Pennsylvania Football News state rankings:

Cathedral Prep remained No. 1 in Class AAA this week in the Harrisburg Patriot-News state football rankings.

The Ramblers will host archrival McDowell Friday at Veterans Stadium. McDowell, which is coming off a second consecutive loss to an Ohio power — a 34-23 setback to St. Edward on Friday — dropped into the “teams to watch” category in Class AAAA after being ranked No. 9 for the previous three weeks.

District 10′s Hickory, Wilmington  and Grove City are ranked in the Class AA top 10, while Sharpsville remained No. 4 in Class A. West Middlesex is listed as a Class A team to watch.

Complete state rankings:

Read the rest of this entry »

Four District 10 football teams are ranked in the top 10 in their class in the Pennsylvania Football News preseason rankings, which were released today. Cathedral Prep (Class AAA), Grove City (AA) and Sharpsville (A) are ranked No. 5 in their respective classes. Hickory, meanwhile, is ranked No. 6 in Class AA.

McDowell (Class AAAA), Strong Vincent (AAA), Wilmington (AA), Mercyhurst Prep (A) and West Middlesex (A) are listed among Others to Watch.

CLASS AAAA

Rank – School – District
1. Central Dauphin (3)
2. North Allegheny (7)
3. Wilson (West Lawn) (3)
4. Easton Area (11)
5. North Penn (1)
6. LaSalle College (12)
7. Gateway (7)
8. Downingtown East (1)
9. Upper St. Clair (7)
10. Ridley (1)

Others to Watch: Abington (1), Bethlehem Freedom (11), Council Rock North (1), Cumberland Valley (3), Delaware Valley (2), Garnet Valley (1), McDowell (10), McKeesport (7), Parkland (11), Pennridge (1), Pennsbury (1), Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7), Roman Catholic (12), Scranton (2), Seneca Valley (7), St. Joseph’s Prep (12), State College (6), Whitehall (11), Woodland Hills (7)

CLASS AAA

Rank – School – District
1. Archbishop Wood (12)
2. Bishop McDevitt (3)
3. Franklin Regional (7)
4. Central Valley (7)
5. Cathedral Prep (10)
6. Manheim Central (3)
7. Cardinal O’Hara (12)
8. Pottsgrove (1)
9. Berwick Area (2)
10. West Allegheny (7)

Others to Watch: Blackhawk (7),  Clearfield (9),  Cocalico (3),  Knoch (7),  Lampeter-Strasburg (3),  Lancaster Catholic (3),  Mars Area (7),  Montour (7),  Pottsville (11),  Scranton Prep (2),  Shippensburg (3),  Strath Haven (1),  Strong Vincent (10),  Valley View (2),  West Chester Henderson (1),  West York (3)

CLASS AA

Rank – School – District
1. Aliquippa (7)
2. Wyomissing (3)
3. Mount Carmel (4)
4. Jeannette (7)
5. Grove City (10)
6. Hickory (10)
7. Pen Argyl (11)
8. GAR Memorial (2)
9. South Fayette (7)
10. Washington (7)

Others to Watch: Beaver Falls (7),  Bermudian Springs (3),  Danville (4),  Delone Catholic (3),  Forest Hills (6),  Imhotep Charter (12),  Karns City (9),  Mifflinburg (4),  Montoursville (4),  Northern Lehigh (11),  Richland (6),  Seton-LaSalle (7),  Towanda (4),  Trinity (3),  Tyrone Area (6),  West Catholic (12),  Wilmington (10),  Wyoming Area (2),

CLASS A

Rank – School – District
1. Clairton (7)
2. Southern Columbia (4)
3. Dunmore (2)
4. Rochester Area (7)
5. Sharpsville (10)
6. Brentwood (7)
7. Penns Manor (6)
8. Bellwood-Antis (6)
9. Old Forge (2)
10. Port Allegany (9)

Others to Watch: Avonworth (7),  Bethlehem-Center (7),  Bishop Canevin (7),  Clarion Area (9),  Coudersport (9),  Elk County Catholic (9),  Line Mountain (4),  Mercyhurst Prep (10),  Minersville (11),  North Star (5),  Pius X (11),  Riverside (2),  Schuylkill Haven (11),  Shenandoah Valley (11),  Sto-Rox (7),  West Middlesex (11)

West Middlesex Big Reds
Coach (season, record): Jason McElhaney (6th season, 26-26)
2011 overall record: 7-5
2011 region record (place): 4-3 (tied for third)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Youngsville 47-0 and Mercer 44-34 in the District 10 Class A playoffs before losing to Sharpsville 21-13 in the D-10 championship.
Top players lost: Colin Patten, James Wills, Clay Allen
Top returning players: Austin Mirizio, Sage Pope, Jeremy Jancso, Luke Patten, Trevor Harrison, A.J. Barris
Assistant coaches: Ed Roberson, Mark Means, Joel Murray, Brad Powell, Rob Townsend
Outlook: West Middlesex has made strides recently and took its program to the District 10 Class A championship game last fall. The Big Reds will need to replace several standout players in the backfield to repeat that success. Colin Patten, James Wills and Clay Allen are gone this year. Patten, Wills and Barris graduated, while Allen decided to focus on track and field this year. Patten led Middlesex with 895 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Allen had 891 yards and 11 touchdowns. Patten also caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. Wills paced the Big Reds with 19 catches for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Barris leaves a big hole on the line after starting the past two years at guard.

The Big Reds have a rushing attack to reload but they have most of their line back and quarterback Jeremy Jancso, who is also an all-region punter. He threw for 1,148 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for four touchdowns as a junior. His favorite target, Sage Pope, returns as well. Pope was voted to the all-region first team at wide receiver and second team at linebacker. Pope caught 14 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns and recorded 60 tackles. Trevor Harrison (offense) and Austin Mirizio (defense) will anchor the line after being named to the all-region second team in 2011. Luke Patten, a second-team linebacker, returns to add depth for the Big Reds. Patten ran for 310 yards and two touchdowns last fall and caught seven passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. He had five sacks last year and provides leadership for Middlesex.

Expectations are high for the Big Reds this season. Middlesex has one of the most experienced teams back in Region 1 but it will need to find some ballcarriers to make up for the loss of the Big Reds’ top two rushers. Jancso is a leader of Middlesex and could see some time at running back. Trey Staunch could also be utilized in the backfield in different ways, including quarterback. The Big Reds might have to get creative in finding some running backs but they will be a tough team to beat this season. Middlesex opens at Wilmington before an immediate bye week to recover. October could be the Big Reds’ crucial month with games against Sharpsville and Lakeview lined up.

Schedule
August
31 at Wilmington 7
September
7 Moniteau 7
14 Farrell* 7
21 at Conneaut* 7
28 at Mercer* 7
October
5 Sharpsville* 7
12 Sharon 7
19 Kennedy Catholic* 7
26 at Lakeview* 7
November
2 at Seneca 7
*Region 1 games

Monday: Wilmington

– Tom Reisenweber

Two District 10 teams are ranked and seven others are listed among “others to watch” in the Pennsylvania Football News preseason state rankings, which were released Wednesday night.

Cathedral Prep leads all D-10 teams with a No. 4 ranking in Class AAA. The Ramblers are coming off a trip to the PIAA Class AAA semifinals and return record-breaking junior quarterback Damion Terry.

Defending District 10 AA champion Sharon is ranked 10th in AA.

Meanwhile, listed among “others to watch” are the following D-10 teams: Grove City in AAA, General McLane, Hickory and Wilmington in AA, and Farrell, Linesville and West Middlesex in A.

Click below for the complete rankings:

Read the rest of this entry »

West Middlesex Big Reds
Coach (season, record): Jason McElhaney (5th season, 19-21)
2010 overall record: 5-5
2010 region record (place): 4-4 (sixth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: James Gearhart, Kris Mason, Eric Coast
Top returning players: Jeremy Jancso, Clay Allen, James Wills, Luke Patten, Colin Patten, Trevor Harrison
Assistant coaches: Lucas Allen, Mark Means, Joel Murray, Clayton Pratt, Ed Roberson
Outlook: West Middlesex has been on the cusp of the District 10 playoff picture the past few years and might have enough talent to make the postseason this fall. The Big Reds return nearly every skill position player but will need some help on the offensive and defensive lines. James Gearhart, Kris Mason and Eric Coast all contributed on the line the past few years and will be missed. Trevor harrison, an all-region offensive lineman, is back but the rest of the line will be determined in camp.

The good news for the Big Reds is the experience and depth in the backfield. Jeremy Jancso eclipsed 1,000 passing yards last season and could be due for a bigger year. Luke Patten, James Wills, Clay Allen and Colin Patten are standout offensive weapons coach Jason McElhaney can call on at any time in a game. Junior Roman Klaric could earn some playing time at wide receiver and defensive back, while freshmen Trey Staunch and Michael Gladysz could see playing time right away.

West Middlesex was in line for a playoff spot in 2010 before a close 32-27 loss to Linesville and a heart-breaking 19-15 loss to Mercer ended the season and hope for the payoffs. The Big Reds loaded up their non-region schedule with Class AA opponents Hickory and Reynolds, but a three-game stretch in the middle of the season could determine their shot at the region title and the postseason. Middlesex will travel to Sharpsville, Lakeview and Farrell in three straight weeks before ending the season once again with Linesville and Mercer.

Schedule
September
2 Hickory 7
10 Conneaut Valley* 7
16 Reynolds 7
24 at Sharpsville* 7
30 at Lakeview* 7
October
7 Bye
14 at Farrell* 7
21 Kennedy Catholic* 7
28 at Linesville* 7
November
4 Mercer* 7

Look for the Kickoff magazine at a Country Fair near you beginning Aug. 15. The 112-page magazine previews the upcoming District 10 football season, including top returning players, schedules, stats and more.

Tuesday: Wilmington

– Tom Reisenweber

When Cathedral Prep’s football team plays West Allegheny on Friday in the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals, the Ramblers will also be going against history.

WPIAL teams have dominated District 10 teams during the past decade, going 16-4 against D-10. The only D-10 teams to beat WPIAL opponents since 2000 were:

• Cathedral Prep, 2000, in Class AAAA (Mount Lebanon)

• West Middlesex, 2006, in Class A (Clairton)

• General McLane, 2006, in Class AAA (Thomas Jefferson)

• Wilmington, 2008, in Class AA (Aliquippa)

Click below for the complete D-10 vs. WPIAL results from this decade:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Mercyhurst Prep football team came from behind late in the fourth quarter to pull out a 25-24 non-region victory over West Middlesex on Saturday at Veterans Stadium.

Chris Kurzik ran for 88 yards and scored three touchdowns, but none was more important than his final score, which came late in the fourth quarter.

With Mercyhurst down 24-19, Kurzik took a pitch from quarterback Tony Cordovano and sprung loose for 7 yards and the touchdown to put the Lakers ahead for good.

Mercyhurst trailed 18-7 at halftime before scoring 12 unanswered points in the third quarter to regain the lead – the first being a 3-yard run by Kurzik, the other coming on a 48-yard run by Aaron Horton, who finished with 134 yards rushing.

Mercyhurst Prep improved to 2-0 and West Middlesex fell to 1-1 .

Click below for the game stats.

Read the rest of this entry »

West Middlesex Big Reds

Coach: Jason McElhaney
2008 overall record: 6-4
2008 region record (place): 4-4 (5th place, Region 1)
Playoff results: Did not make District 10 playoffs
Top players lost: RB/DB Kyle Allen, RB/DB Mark Saylor, OL/DL J.J. Rodgers, OL/DL Kenny Gallentine, WR/DB Tyler Powell, OL/LB Kris Mason
Top returning players: TE/K Ryan Chupak, FB/LB Nate Ash, QB/DB Kyle Wimer, WR/DB John Jansco, Kyle Beck TE/LB, OL/DL Ryan Benson, OL/DL Frank Zieminick
Key games: Sept. 19 at Sharpsville, Oct. 9 at Farrell, Oct. 24 at Linesville, Oct. 30 vs. Mercer
Outlook: After a school-best 15-1 championship 2006 season, coach Jason McElhaney and the Big Reds of West Middlesex have begun to return to their winning ways. They bounced back from a 4-6 2007 campaign, McElhaney’s first at the helm, to win six games in 2008 and post the school’s seventh winning record in nine years. The Big Reds will be hard-pressed to repeat their rushing success from last season in which they gained 3,084 yards. Gone are all-district and region player of the year Kyle Allen (1,532 yards, 20 touchdowns) and one of his top backups Mark Saylor (605 yards, 6 touchdowns). Allen will play at Westminster College this fall. Some of the offensive load will be carried by senior Nate Ash (634 yards, 5 touchdowns) who was an all-region performer last season as a linebacker. However, the Big Red’s Wing-T offense will look to spread the ball around, specifically integrating senior quarterback Kyle Wimer more. Senior Ryan Chupak, an all-region kicker and tight end for the Big Reds, will look to help Wimer and company put points on the board and contribute to an offense that was one of the best in Region 1 last season, scoring 29.3 points per contest. On the other side of the ball, West Middlesex will miss standout defensive lineman J.J. Rodgers but returns all-region defensive back Jon Jancso. Coach McElhaney stresses basic tackling and fundamentals in his 4-4 defensive scheme. In order to compete in Region 1, the Big Reds will have to fill the cleats of Allen and do a better job keeping the region’s top teams off the scoreboard. The top four teams in the Region 1 standings scored a combined 138 points (34.5 per game) on West Middlesex in 2008.

Schedule
September
4    Union    7:30
12    at Mercyhurst Prep    7
19    at Sharpsville*    7
25    at Lakeview*    7
October
2    Conneaut Lake*    7:30
9    at Farrell*    7
16    Kennedy Catholic*    7
24    at Linesville*    7
30    Mercer*    7
November
6    Conneaut Valley*    7

*Region 1 game

Friday: Our look at Region 2 teams begins with Cambridge Springs.

Last year Linesville, Mercer and Farrell all finished with one loss in the region to be crowned co-champions. The key game among those teams was in Week 2 when Mercer knocked off Farrell 20-0. The Steelers were missing some impact players and the Mustangs took advantage with a huge win. Region 1 is one of two Class A regions, and was clearly the most talented. Three of the final four teams in the District 10 Class A playoffs were from Region 1, including both teams in the D-10 title game. Here are the final Region 1 standings from last season.

Region 1
Region Overall
w-Mercer 7-1 10-2
w-Farrell 7-1 12-3
w-Linesville 7-1 10-3
z-Sharpsville 5-3 6-5
West Middlesex 4-4 6-4
Lakeview 3-5 4-6
Conneaut Lake 2-6 2-8
Kennedy Catholic 1-7 1-8
Conneaut Valley 0-8 0-10
w-co-region champions
z-qualified for playoff spot

Key 2009 games: Sept. 11 Mercer at Farrell, Oct. 2 Farrell at Linesville, Oct. 30 Mercer at Linesville
Predicted champion: Farrell